Postdoctoral Researcher

All Job Postings will close at 12:01a.m. CST (1:01a.m. EST) on the specified Closing Date (if designated).

If you close the browser or exit your application prior to submitting, the application progress will be saved as a draft. You will be able to access and complete the application through “My Draft Applications” located on your Candidate Home page.

Job Posting Title:

Postdoctoral Researcher

   

Position Type:

Other Academic

   

Department:

LSUAM Engineering - Petroleum - Transport Process Drilling and Geomechanics (Yuanhang Chen (00007935))

   

Work Location:

3306 Patrick F. Taylor Hall

   

Pay Grade:

Other Academic

   

Job Description:

Overview:

The incumbent in this position will perform computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and transient multiphase flow modeling in support of Department of Transportation funded pipeline safety research, including shrouding effects on pressurized liquefied natural gas (LNG) releases, atmospheric dispersion of hazardous releases, and pipeline leak detection using aerial distributed fiber-optic sensing (DFOS). The position will build, verify, and validate CFD models of multiphase, compressible, and turbulent flow with heat transfer on high-performance computing (HPC) resources, and will develop physics-based and data-informed digital twin tools for pipeline and well integrity applications. Related work in CO2 transport, injection, and well control and in geothermal thermal-hydraulics is also supported. Responsibilities include developing and validating models and simulation workflows, writing technical reports and peer-reviewed publications, presenting results, and supporting experimental facility development under faculty supervision.

Job duties for Postdoctoral Researcher:

40% Perform computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and transient multiphase flow simulations for Department of Transportation funded pipeline safety research, including shrouding effects on pressurized LNG releases, atmospheric dispersion of hazardous releases, and pipeline leak detection using aerial distributed fiber-optic sensing (DFOS).

40% Build, verify, and validate CFD and reduced-order models of multiphase, compressible, and turbulent flow with heat transfer on high-performance computing (HPC) resources, and develop physics-based and data-informed digital twin workflows for pipeline and well integrity. Related applications include CO2 transport, injection, and well control, and geothermal thermal-hydraulics.

15% Develop and validate models and simulation workflows, benchmark simulation results against experimental and field data, write technical reports and peer-reviewed publications, present results, and support experimental facility development under faculty supervision.

5% Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications for Postdoctoral Researcher:

Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering or related with 0 years of experience. A.B.D. candidates will be considered as long as the degree is conferred prior to hire.

Specific Experience: Expertise in fluid mechanics/transport phenomena and heat transfer. Demonstrated experience in computational modeling/simulation of fluid flow and heat transfer, including computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Strong scientific programming skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB, and/or C/C++) are required. Evidence of peer-reviewed publication and strong written and verbal communication skills are required.

Preferred Qualifications for Postdoctoral Researcher:

Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering or closely related with 0 years of experience.

Specific Experience: Demonstrated research record in CFD and transient multiphase flow, including hands-on use of CFD codes (e.g., OpenFOAM, ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+) on HPC systems, turbulence and multiphase model selection, and validation against experimental data. Experience relevant to pipeline and facility safety: compressible or flashing releases, LNG/CO2 atmospheric dispersion modeling, leak detection, and distributed fiber-optic sensing (DFOS) data. Experience in wellbore thermal-hydraulics, coupled wellbore-reservoir modeling, geothermal or CO2 injection and well control, digital twin workflows, and version control is a plus.

Certifications/ Licenses: OSHA/University lab safety training

   

Additional Job Description:

Special Instructions:

Application requirements:
Must provide CV, contact information for 3 references, attach a copy of your transcript(s), and pass a satisfactory pre-employment background check and RS-17 background check. Original transcripts will be required prior to hire. If the candidate's highest degree is from an international institution, a credential evaluation report must be submitted prior to hire. For questions regarding this position, you may directly contact Dr. Yuanhang Chen (yuanhangchen@lsu.edu) or LSU HR.

This position is classified as a safety and security-sensitive position. These are subject to drug screens per PS-67.

   

Skills Needed:

   

Preferred Skills:

   

Posting Date:

October 9, 2026

   

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

October 28, 2026

  

Additional Position Information:

Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits - LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

   

Essential Position (Y/N):

   

LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

   

All candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment. Changes in laws, regulations, or government policies may impact the university’s ability to employ individuals in certain positions.

   

HCM Contact Information: